England v New Zealand: Strauss's brave new world

After 12.2 overs England were 30-4 and Andrew Strauss, England's new Director of Cricket, must have been dreading today's headlines. The spectre of Kevin Pietersen's 'I told you so' looming in front of his face whenever he closed his eyes.

But Joe Root and Ben Stokes came to the rescue, showing the positive, aggressive approach espoused by Strauss, with a blistering counter attack. Though both batsmen were out tamely in the 90's, they didn't just change the course of this game, but also possibly England's summer.

Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali added further runs in the same positive vein, before the England wicketkeeper fell LBW to the last ball of the day to leave England 364-7.

New Zealand's attack was eventually exposed as One Day specialists, it remains to be seen if the same limitations will be shown in the tourist's batting line up.

Strauss asked England to play the kind of cricket that will entertain the fans and fill Test grounds. They certainly did that.